Peters



E. K. W. BLAKE.

Velocipede.

No. 84,163. Patented Nov. 17,1868.

MPHERS. PHQTO-UTHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. D C.

J m, e y 0- a '0 fimml finder game i (time. r W ere M E. K. W. BLAKE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

Letters Patent No. 84,163, dated Nocember 17. 1868.

VELOCIPEDE.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making prt of the same.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, E. K. W. BLAKE, of Chicago, in the county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented a new and improved Velocipede; and I do.

hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable those skilled in the art to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in velocipedes, and has for its object to provide an arrangement whereby they can be more easily propelled and guided than those nowin use.

It consists in an arrangement of loose hollow pulleys on the driving-axle,'having pawls taking into ratehets within the said pulleys secured to the axle, and belts for operating the pulleys, passing over guide-pulleys at the fi'ont of the machine, to the hands of the operator, whereby he may propel the machine by pulling from directly in front of him.

Springs, connected by cords to similar drums on the said pulleys, are used for retracting the pulley to wind on the operating-belts.

The invention also consists of an improved guidingmechanism. a

Figure 1 represents an elevation of my improved machine partly in section;

Figure 2 represents a plan of the bottom of the same; and

Figures 3 and 4 represent detail views of the ratchetmechanism.

Similar .letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

' The driving-axle A may be made of one or two parts, as desired, and is provided with the loose hollow pulleys B, within which ratchet-wheels O are secured to the shaft A, and pawls D pivoted to the pulleys, so as to engage with the ratchet in the direction to move the hind wheels, which are secured to the shaft in 'a forward direction.

E represents belts wound upon and secured by one end to the said pulleys, and passing forward to the guide-pulleys F, fixed upon the front platform, and terminating in handles at a suitable distance from the said guide-pulleys, for the convenient reach of the operator sitting on the seat G.

The said pulleys B are. provided with smaller drums B, on which belts E are similarly arranged, and connected to the retracting-springs H, in a manner to retract the said pulleys and-wind on their belts again as they are unwound by the operator in giving motion to the machine.

The axle of the guiding-wheel is provided with slotted guiding-brackets I, and rests inbearings pivoted at K, and provided with adjustable foot-rests L, for turning the direction of the guiding-wheel, or maintaining it in the direction for going straight ahead. They are also provided with the retracting-springs M.

The adjustable foot-rests admit of changing them to the conditions to suit large or small persons.

It is believed that this arrangement of means for applying the propelling-power affords the best and most natural application of the same of any now in use.

.I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The combination, with the driving-axles, having the fixed ratchets 0,01 the loose pulleys B, actuatingpawls, and propelling-belts, the latter passing over guide-pulleys at or near the front of the machine, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. The combination, with the axle of the guidingwheel, of the slotted guide-brackets I, swinging bearings K, adjustable foot-rests L, and retracting springs M, all substantially as and for the purpose described.

E. K. W. BLAKE.

Witnesses:

A. J. HOFFMAN, S. W. FALLIS. 

